Building a Small Deck plus Ryobi 40V Tools

It’s all about the backyard lately as I’m in the middle of an Outdoor Overhaul sponsored by my friends from Ryobi Outdoor Tools! My last update was all about the fire pit, and starting the paver patio. Most of this week’s update will revolve around a small back deck to disguise a set of concrete steps. I am so excited that this project came about.

This is how the backyard looked when last we met. The fire pit has seen a little bit of action. Sometimes I just go out there when the sun sets and chill! The artificial light you see is from my neighbor’s security light.

Let’s see how this small deck – porch started . . .

As with most DIY projects, it all started with a run to The Home Depot to get the necessary lumber to build the small deck. The list was quite long and it took two lumber carts to haul it all up to the cashier.

 

Until this backyard makeover, I never realized how much I hated this set of concrete steps and it’s equally ugly pipe handrail.

I had specific designs in mind for my new small deck or porch.

 

Watch the Video

 

*this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

Use reciprocating saw to cut pipe handrail

Up first? Remove that metal pipe handrail. My Ryobi reciprocating saw took care of that in no time. I can’t tell you how rewarding it was to cut this baby down with my saw! Notice I moved the dirt away so I could cut as close to the ground as possilbe.

Frame the small deck

We were working on the paver patio as we made the frame for the small deck using 2×6’s and exterior wood screws. Notice how bad the lawn is suffering from all the work.

 

Install joists for small deck

Temporary legs were used to hold the frame in place, after hammer drilling the frame to the house. Then we started to add the joists. My nephew Bubba stopped by to help a little on the paver patio. Lulu Mae greeted him with wags and kisses.

 

We worked our way across the deck with more joists. Rodney was tickled about something, who knows?

Add 4×4 corner posts to deck

Eight foot 4×4 posts were set in concrete and braced.

Install deck boards

Long bar clamps were used to hold the deck boards in place as they were secured.

Tips for adding deck boards

You can see the joists were marked making sure the wood screws landed in them when securing the deck boards. The long pipe clamp was used to draw in the deck boards when the smaller bar clamp wouldn’t reach.

 

The last deck board was notched to fit perfectly around the top step at the back door.

The deck boards were cut off after installation with a circular saw. Note the rear 4×4 post is resting on a pad instead of being set in concrete.

As my neighbor Rodney worked on the steps . . .

40V Ryobi Cultivator Expand It Option

 

. . . I found time to test out my new 40V Ryobi Cultivator. It’s part of their Expand It series. The cultivator as well as other 40V tools slip on the X String Trimmer base. WHAT? Yep, you buy the String trimmer and battery, then choose what Expand It tools you want to add to your collection.

To finish off the deck, dog eared fence boards were added to surround the deck to cover up the ugly concrete steps! I had a couple of these boards left over and I used them to make a couple of planters to cover up plastic flower pots.

Pin it!

 

This short video from Ryobi may explain it a little better. So many options!!! Shop the 40V collection of Ryobi Tools here.

Next week it’s time to vote for your favorite blogger’s space on Instagram! By voting, and sharing our update post on IG you’ll be entered to win a really great prize!

Later today we’ll announce the winner of the week three prize, a 40V chainsaw. You have 1 week left to do your own space in order to be in the running for the Grand prize of $500 worth of Ryobi Outdoor Tools!

How do you enter? Do your own Outdoor Overhaul space—a backyard, patio or garden area. Share before and after pics of your space on Instagram using #RYOBIOutdoorOverhaul and #hangoutchallenge and tag @ryobitoolsusa  and @myrepurposedlife. Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time on 5/3/19

IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2019 OUTDOOR OVERHAUL 2.0 HANGOUT CHALLENGE SWEEPSTAKES, YOU MUST BE 18 OR OLDER AND LIVE IN THE U.S. No Purchase Necessary. See Rules Here.

Be sure to visit Visit H2O Bungalow, The Handyman’s Daughter and Thriftdiving to see their weekly progress. I’m loving all of the new spaces my friends are doing, but I hope you love mine the best and vote for me next week on Instagram!

gail